Lots of new parents fear exposing their babies to germs, but the truth is that some exposure to germs can make the body more resilient to certain viruses and allergies. In either event, a sick baby is always a miserable situation to deal with. Taking a few preventative measures can go a long way.

It's a losing battle, but what defenses can one use for the war on germs?

· Germ prevention is literally in your hands. Be vigilant (and teach your kids to be vigilant in turn) about hand washing when you get home from the outside world, before meals, after using the restroom and always before handling a baby. Be sure it's done right - scrub thoroughly for a slow count to ten to kill as much bacteria as you can.

· Hand sanitizer is a quick and easy germ buster for grownups and kids over the age of 18 months. Pop it into your purse and apply liberally after your child handles the jungle gym, coin-operated kiddie rides, or ball pits at the mall.

If someone in your house is sick, spray or wipe the phone, doorknobs, remotes, toys, and other items your children touch throughout the day.

· In the kitchen, wash all utensils and cutting boards with soap and hot water, and spray counter tops with disinfectant to prevent salmonella and E. coli.

For babies over a year old, here's a tasty treat made of bacteria fighting yogurt and berries full of antioxidants - Mother Nature's immunity boosters!

Berry Good Germ Buster

1 cup organic plain yogurt

½ cup raspberries

½ cup blueberries

½ cup apple juice

Combine yogurt, raspberries and blueberries in Cuisinart PowerPrep Plus 14-Cup Food Processor. Add 1/2 cup of juice and blend to smooth consistency. If mixture is too thick, add more juice, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Enjoy!